It's not about you! (ouch!) If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You will never discover your life's meaning by looking within yourself - contrary to popular teaching. You didn't create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for - only the Creator can reveal its purpose!
You were made for God, not vice-versa. Life is about letting God use you for His purposes, not your using Him for your own!
This week's lesson gives us a great reminder that it's not all about us. God is our Creator and only through Him and His Word will we find our true purpose; meaning in life. Are you ready to take this journey? I hope so. Regardless of what you already know - there's always new truths to learn about God and ourselves.
Simply click on the links on the right to access your lesson handout and audio recording.
Then come back and leave your comment to this week's question:
* Where have you been searching for purpose and meaning?
Take a minute (25 actually) to listen as Rick Warren introduces this study!!
Kathleen said, at different stages in my life I have searched for purpose in all the things listed on the handout. Sure in the short term they satisfy but in the long term they do not fulfill. Only the Holy Spirit within gives me the Peace to Rest in His Plan. Whether or not I know what that plan is. The Key for me is to not allow the distractions of life to supersede that fact. There is a song by The Canadian Tenors, "Lead With Your Heart" in Love & the lyrics state not to listen to all the voices but listen to your " heart". I interpret "heart" to be Gods' voice.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of "the peace to rest in His Plan"
DeleteThanks! Kathleen
I grew up experiencing several chronic diseases and they definitely shaped my life and my personality. Being exposed so much to medical info.,procedures and professionals gave me a love and desire to work in the medical field. It was a big part of my identity. I was gifted in the knowledge of things medical before I should have understood them, and yet ultimately because of my health issues I did not possess the physical stamina to do these careers. My own body simply couldn't keep up. I felt like a failure because I believed God had given me a special gift in that area. Many years later I can look back and know how many people I affected with the gift of caring for them and caretaking without it being my career or receiving a paycheck. In ministry I still care for others today...spiritually and simply taking the time to support a program where they will find real meaning through God and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of how often times people are most impacted by our "weaknesses" than by our strengths.
DeleteWhere have I been searching?
ReplyDeleteAs I reflect....I have been searching.... but have been conducting my OWN search instead of allowing God to lead it. Bummer! When I think of all of the time I have wasted just spinning my wheels. Trying to make things work out the way I thought or the world thought they should instead of allowing God to lead me in the direction he wanted me to go. I now realize I need seek God to lead me and be still and listen to his voice within my heart.
Being "still" is not easy for me because I have always been a "fixer" so this is going to take perseverance.
You are not alone Patti:) Many women find themselves wandering down their own paths (or the world's paths) looking for purpose and meaning, only to find a dead end. You're right in realzing that God is the Leader and we are to follow Him along His path to His purpose!
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